Make Me Understand(Open)

[Cloudy]

The blue gray cat lay upon Tallrock, back legs thrown off to the side while her triangular head sat upon her creamy paws while the sun above bathed her slender body in warming light. The clan below and above her were going about their duties. It wasn't hard to keep watch of the small group beneath the Tallrock, then again she didn't want to watch. Ever since the bout of crowfood poisening swept over and the attack of the dogs moons ago, Windclan was no longer as great as it was once before. An old crack in her heart began to seep fresh grief, her pale green eyes closing to the bright world. Only a handful of clanmates were left staying, others had fled in fear, the rest died from the food or wounds...the very turn of events had put into the position she felt unfit to stand in.

With a weary sigh, Fallenstar opened her eyes and forced herself to look at the cats that had stuck by her...or more so with Windclan. Adderfur and his two kits, Yellowkit and Flamekit, their mother gone not even moons before. Then there was the poor soul, Flarepaw, who had lost his parents at such a young age and in such a horrible way. The hearts of her clanmates were broken, she prayed their spirit wasn't. Deciding it was her duty to assist her small clan, Fallenstar rose to her paws and stretched her long limbs to loosen the muscles, then hopped down from her perch, fur being cooled by the small breeze that managed to make its way into the camp from a break in the gorse wall. Another sigh escaped her and she shook her head at the thought of repairs that would have to be done.

Continuing on, keeping her head high and gait strong, Fallenstar padded infront of the nursery and opened her maw to call to Flamekit, then closed it and turned away. Adderfur might be in the den with his son...and the Windclan leader wasn't too sure he would be kind to her if she tried and talk with Flamekit. A knot twisted in her stomach at the uncertainty of everything, her green eyes looked to the blue sky for answers. Why was she such a disappointment to everyone, even Starclan itself? Would she ever be able to make Windclan what it once was, or was her leadership destined to fail? The clear expanse above replied nothing in return.

Fallenstar started for the gorse tunnel that lead out of the camp, pausing every now and then as she considered if leaving the clan for hunting would be safe, especially with so few warriors. Somebody had to do it, and she wans't going to trouble Adderfur to go out and leave his kit to be watched by a laid-back apprentince and troubled leader. I'll only be a moment. The blue and cream she-cat reasoned to herself. With a last glance back at the camp, Fallenstar strode through the tunnel quickly and out into the rushing wind of the moor.

[Kat]

Adderfur was half hidden by the wall of the camp his paws tucked under his body. His dark blue eyes were carefully watching the camp entrance, not out of any real fear for Windclan's safety. He just needed something to do, and monitoring the activity of the camp gave the dark ginger tom something to do. His eyes flickered to the side, and he saw his leader Fallenstar approach the nursery. She seemed to be debating something, but after a few moment walked away. Adderfur had to admit it was curious, but he didn't intend to ask his leader about it. If it had been any other cat he would have, but aside from his mate and Fallenstar he didn't trust anyone. And his mate was dead. Sometimes he just felt numb about Heatherbreeze's death and today was one of those days.

He guessed it time Yellowkit and Flamekit would make that list, but they were kits and he expected them to lie. A warm feeling entered the toms chest at the thought of his kits, they meant the world to him. With a sigh his gaze flickered to the nursery, wondering if he should go to see his son and daughter. He was rising to paws, intending to go see the kits when he saw Fallenstar dart out of the camp. His eyes flickered to the disappearing form of his leader.

Without a second to think about his actions Adderfur darted after his leader.

[Cloudy]

As soon as she was out of the gorse tunnel, Fallenstar broke out into a smooth run over the grass. The wind swooped around and under her body, almost carrying her off her paws but using her claws as anchors held her fast to the bare earth. Intent on getting a well enough distance that prey would be found, the blue-gray she-cat stretched out her long legs and paced herself in gaits that were a little more than a tail-length. Knowing there was nothing to run into on the moor, Fallenstar closed her pale eyes and took in the powerful breeze and the feeling that with a single bound she could fly like the hawks.

It took a bit to notice, but the subtle vibration of pawsteps alerted the Windclan leader that she was being followed. Green eyes flew open and she turned her head to see behind her, not slowing her pace incase it was a threat. She couldn't help but smile in relief when it was clear a dark ginger tom was speeding after her. Not wishing to be rude to her fellow clanmate, Fallenstar slowed until she came to a stop, turning to face the tom with a kindly curious gaze. When he finally caught up, the leader dipped her head to the warrior and braced herself against a gust of wind, waiting for it to pass before speaking. "Greetings, Adderfur. What brings you out here?" the blue and cream she-cat asked in her soft voice yet loudly enough to be heard over the moorland wind, trying to appear more perked up and confident than she actually felt at the moment.

[Kat]

The ginger tom couldn't help feeling a little guilty following her out here, but it had been a impulsive decision. It wasn't the best idea Adderfur knew, but he knew he had a valid reason for being out here. Hunting? That was a valid excuse, he'd been out hunting and spotted her. Not quietly watching the entrance of the camp without anyone knowing.

Now he knew he was making it much more strange then it had to be. He'd seen her leaving, and decided he'd rather go hunting then visit his kits. There a very logical well thought out answer. "Hello Fallenstar." He said dipping his head politely to his leader. "I was about hunting and spotted you leaving the camp as well." He replied quickly, answering her question. Was it considered bad to lie? It wasn't lying. He had left the camp to go hunting, she happened to be in front of him. The wind blew up behind him, and the ginger tom shifted on his paws as in ruffled his fur.

[Cloudy]

Fallenstar couldn't help but flush underneath her fur from the polite gesture from the warrior, ears shifting back uncomfortably. She may now be leader, but getting used to being treated with such respect would take more than a few moons to get used to. Honestly, the she-cat hadn't expected the tom to be as nice as he was, considering what he had been through in this clan, but she quickly noted that she should not be one quick to judge. Her smile lopped discreetly at hearing Adderfur's slight rushed explaination. It wasn't nothing to be ashamed about, yet he seemed to be as uncomfortable as she was.

"Oh..." Was all she managed before looking down at her cream paws, so unsure about what to say while the moorland wind continued to buffet them both. They obviously couldn't keep standing here like trees, but it suddenly occured to Fallenstar that that both were out for hunting, and two would be better than one in this case. Meeting the blue eyes of the warrior, her gentle smile returned and her own pale eyes sparkled with a sort of excitement. "I am out for hunting as well. If you wish...we could..well..hunt together. As a pair. Of clanmates." Fallenstar suggested awkwardly, adding bits to her sentence to make it seem more friendly but not personal, the last thing she figured she should do. Adderfur had lost his mate, and finding the right phrases and words to say to avoid bringing up unneeded memories was a concern of the leader. She did not want to cause her clanmates to waver by accidently digging up the bones of the not so distant past.

[Kat]

Adderfur pushed away his lingering twinges of guilt. He dipped his head in answer. "Sure." He said, not noticing his leaders awkward word add-ons. He sighed digging his claws in the ground as a particularly heavy wind buffeted into his side. He's lived on the moor his whole life, and still a particularly heavy wind startled him. He glanced up over the hills suddenly remembering Heatherbreeze.

"Heatherbreeze wait!" The ginger tom called racing after the pale golden she-cat. "Slowpoke!" She called back playfully. Then a large wind blew into her side, and with a gasp the golden she-cat tumbled sideways. With a meow of amusement the ginger tom raced up to help her.

With a heavy sigh Adderfur shook his head shattering the memory like glass. He turned his attention back to Fallenstar, hoping she hadn't noticed his temporary lapse. "Shall we get going?" He asked, hoping a hunt would take his mind away from the dead she-cat.